Jayalalitha returns to power

Former Chief Minister, actress and now a real prominent political figure Jayalalitha’s fourth term as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu ended abruptly last year when she was convicted in the Rs.67 crore disproportionate assets case. The AIADMK chief, along with her three associates had been sentenced to 4 years in prison and had a fine of Rs.100 crore imposed on her. It was a major setback in the career of Jayalalitha, and some thought that the verdict had marked the end to her political career. However, the abrupt end proved to be a year’s stall in her role as Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, as Jayalalitha was acquitted by the Karnataka High Court.

Celebrations had erupted after the verdict, and it was expected that the AIADMK chief would soon make her comeback as the state’s chief minister. People had not expected the verdict to be overturned at Jayalalitha’s appeal, but in a matter of three minutes, the Karnataka High Court overturned the verdict and acquitted Jayalalitha, along with her three associates, in the graft case. Jayalalitha thanked her supporters for their unwavering faith and support.

The acting chief minister O Panneerselvam and his cabinet ministers resigned on Friday, paving the way for Jayalalitha to resume her perch on the throne as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. She is to take the oath on Saturday and has been asked by Governor K Roasaiah to form a government at the earliest. AIADMK ministers had swiftly gathered and re-elected her as their leaders upon her acquittal, and she accepted the governor’s invitation to take the mantle as the Chief Minister again and form her government. People displayed their admiration for her as they marched along with Jayalalitha’s car, showing victory signs and throwing flower petals at her car as it moved through the streets of the capital city Chennai.